Data vintage · May 2025 · Ranked by median annual wage
Lowest-paying jobs in Des Moines
508 occupations with published wages, ranked
The lowest published median wage in Des Moines belongs to Waiters and Waitresses, at $20,410 per year. The highest is $426,310.
The 10 lowest-paying occupations
| # | Occupation | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waiters and Waitresses | $20,410 | 6,250 | |
| 2 | Bartenders | $22,340 | 2,200 | |
| 3 | Tour and Travel Guides | $22,490 | 110 | |
| 4 | Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants | $23,830 | 110 | |
| 5 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,480 | 370 | |
| 6 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $26,870 | 320 | |
| 7 | Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,730 | 790 | |
| 8 | Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,860 | 1,700 | |
| 9 | Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,270 | 850 | |
| 10 | Physical Therapist Aides | $29,120 | 100 |
At the other end of the scale
| Occupation | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medicine Physicians | $426,310 | 50 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $369,390 | 40 |
| Psychiatrists | $358,020 | 50 |
| Physicians, All Other | $309,880 | 460 |
| Chief Executives | $290,870 | 1,230 |
| Pediatricians, General | $271,190 | 90 |
| Family Medicine Physicians | $265,200 | 250 |
| Anesthesiologists | $239,200 | 190 |
| Physicians, Pathologists | $239,200 | — |
| Radiologists | $239,200 | — |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $237,670 | 80 |
| Dentists, General | $209,300 | 360 |
| Physicists | $178,110 | 50 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $164,840 | 2,050 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $160,990 | 60 |
| Financial Managers | $154,140 | 3,800 |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | $150,850 | 60 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,330 | 360 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $147,510 | 90 |
| Pharmacists | $141,110 | 850 |
| Managers, All Other | $139,110 | 1,420 |
| Human Resources Managers | $138,140 | 520 |
| Sales Managers | $136,570 | 1,200 |
| Marketing Managers | $135,140 | 950 |
| Lawyers | $134,560 | 1,760 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Rankings cover only occupations for which a median wage was published; occupations the survey suppressed do not appear. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data